Winter/Spring 2010
WSA
INFORMATION WITHIN REACH
Welcome
to the winter/spring issue of “Currents & Profiles,” the National
Watershed, Soil, and Air (WSA) Technology and Development Centers’ news and notes to
the field. It is time to submit project proposals for the FY 2011 Watershed, Soil, and Air T&D
program of work. Proposals must be submitted to San Dimas T&D by February 11, 2010.
The project proposal form can be found on page 11 of this issue.
“Currents and Profiles” updates the watershed community on the progress of our projects
and newly available publications. This issue includes the following topics:
•CURRENT PROJECTS—UPDATE
•NEW PROJECTS •T&D PROJECT PROPOSAL SUBMITAL FORM
•HIGHLIGHTS—New Study on Woody Biomass Residues at RMRS
•COMPLETED PROJECTS NOW AVAILABLe
•LINKS OF INTEREST
•WSA STEERING COMMITTEE MEMBERS AND T&D STAFF
Mission Statement
To systematically apply scientific knowledge and advanced
technology to cre a t e n e w o r s u b s t a n t i a l l y i m p r o v e d
equipment, systems, materials, processes, techniques,
and procedures to meet the challenges and objectives
of sustainable forest ecosystems management.
Watershed, Soil, and Air Technology & Development Program
1025 1801—SDTDC
Currents &
WSA
• CURRENT PROJECTS—UPDATE
Development of Science-Based Winter Guidelines for
Mechanical and Fuels Treatment Operations
Proposed by: John Townsley, Randy Tepler, and Brad
Flatten (R6)
Objective: Develop science-based guidelines for winterlogging by using low-cost, easily identifiable indicators
of frozen soil.
In January 2009, winter logging tests were performed
on two units on the Hiawatha National Forest in Region
9. Our focus was to develop practical, low-cost,
science-based winter logging guidelines which are
easily identifiable in the field by the sale administrator,
logger, and soil scientist.
Prior to the onset of winter, San Dimas Technology
and Development Center (SDTDC) staff worked with
Rocky Mountain Research Station (RMRS) to develop
a study plan that correlates soil temperatures at 3, 6,
and 9 inches with actual conditions above ground. Our
first step was to conduct soil disturbance monitoring
evaluations before treatment using the new Forest Soil
Disturbance Monitoring Protocol (FSDMP) (Dumroese
et al, 2009) developed by RMRS. Working with the
Hiawatha National Forest soil, watershed, and forest
management staffs we conducted a soil disturbance
assessment prior to treatment. At the same time, we
installed HOBO dataloggers to record air temperature,
soil temperature, and moisture at the different depths
along both main and secondary skid trails. Frost tubes
were also installed as a low-tech method of determining
the depth of frozen ground in the unit.
PROFILES
In July 2009 the units were monitored using the FSDMP
to determine the amount of change from pre-treatment to
post-treatment. Findings indicated that the Hiawatha NF
soil standards were achieved in both units. There were
several areas of rutting from the equipment and forest soil
scientist Jim Gries felt much of the disturbance could be
avoided in future winter logging harvest operations with
the following mitigation measures:
1.Use skidding mats to reduce the equipment impact
on soils with low load bearing strength due to high
water table.
2.Increase the frozen ground depth by plowing
and packing the snow on the main skid trails that
access the landing area.
3.Use frost tubes to give the sale administrator and
logger a better idea of depth of frozen ground
within the unit so they can implement mitigation
measures.
4.Place slash on skid trails to reduce equipment
impacts.
The units were harvested in January and February of
2009 following normal operating procedures for winter
logging. Field observations were recorded during
logging to identify the following attributes:
•Depth of snow in skid trail and undisturbed.
•Type of snow (dry, wet, cohesive).
•Depth of frozen ground using both spike and frost
tubes.
Watershed, Soil, and Air Technology & Development Program—2
Slash mats used
to distribute
equipment
weight on main
skid trail.
Frost tubes are
easily installed
at a unit and
help determine
the depth of
frozen ground.
No Logging in 2008-09 due to poor market conditions
Logging Start Date:
11.0
11.0
7.0
7.0
10.0
9.0
7.0
4.0
0.0
Trace
0900
1/20/2009
02/03/2009 1130
02/11/2009 0925
02/17/2009 0840
02/23/2009 1055
03/03/2009 0845
03/10/2009 0925
03/16/2009 0935
03/26/2009 0910
04/02/2009 0910
na
Watershed, Soil, and Air Technology & Development Program—3
na
na
na
na
na
na
na
na
na
na
na
na
na
na
na
na
na
na
na
na
na
na
na
na
na
na
na
6.0
6.5
10.0
not done
not done
not done
not done
not done
not done
not done
10.0
8.0
7.5
Spike 2 inches
Dry Loose
Wet
0.00
Crusty
Crusty
Dry Loose
Dry Loose
Crusty
Wet
Dry Loose
Dry Loose
Dry Loose
Dry Loose
Dry Loose
7.00
5.50
8.75
8.75
9.50
8.75
8.50
8.75
8.50
8.50
7.50
7.00
8.00
No Tube
Frost Tube
Reading
Spruce Site
F
17.5
15.5
20.7
23.6
-12.5
2.9
5.6
21.8
-1.7
-4.8
-17.2
-9.6
-9.0
3.3
IR
Reading
Degrees
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Picture
(Y/N)
Frost tube shows 0 to 1 inche as un-frozen surface and frozen from 1 to 7 inches. Spike test feels frozen from surface down to about 6.0 inches.
Snow cover is gone. Photo showing frost tube with 0 to 2.5 inches not frozen and 2.5 to 8 inches as frozen. Soil surface is thawing and some frost is thawing from the bottom up. Spike test feels frozen from surface down to about 6.5 inches.
Picture of unpacked snow conditions showing melted, re-frozen snow and ice with patches of bare ground. Hobo site is more sun exposed than spruce plantation site. Snow is melted and re-frozen, patches of bare ground due to melting temps and some rain.100% sun with air temps 50's - 60's this week.
Snow is melted and re-frozen with a crusty surface that you can almost walk on. 100% overcast and some rain this week.
New snow about Feb 26. 15% Sun, Calm winds.
Photos of snow conditions and hobo set up. About 3 inches of new snow 2 days ago, crusty snow under the new snow. 100% sun with calm winds. Cold day about 10 degrees F. Downloaded Hobo and re-launched. DF=63% Bat=85% Hobo first launched 11/13/2008.
Old re-frozen snow that has a crusty surface that is hard enough to walk on. 100% sun.
Old snow that is wet. Last several days have been 30 to 40 degrees air temps with some rain. 100% overcast.
Old snow. 100% Sun, cold and windy.
Fresh Snow fall. Overcast & calm wind. Subsero air temperatures 4 days ago. Have had very cold temps this week. Did not measure soil frost depth unpacked snow with Spike because there is now enough frost depth to support logging equipment and it is getting more difficult to drive spike into ground.
Old snow. Snow depth shrinkage due to no new snowfall. 100% overcase, calm winds.
Photo showing dry snow conditions. 100% sunny, Calm winds.
100% sun, Winds 0 to 3 mph.
Photo showing dry snow conditions. 100% overcast and windy
Comments
PU #1 FR106 Mondeaux Salvage Sale
No Harvest Activity Logging End Date: None
Unit:
Harvest Method:
Currents &
Winter-logging data collection form.
8.0
8.0
01/06/2009 1030
2.5
01/12/2009 0930
Trace
12/02/2008 0910
12/18/2008 1030
Soil frost
Soil frost
Snow
depth in
depth
Cond**
trail (in and unpacked soil
(inches and
(in)
method)*
Aspen Cover edge of tag alder. Hobo SN 2227731 H21-002 measuring: Air & soil temp, Soil water.
Location:
Date & time
Unpacked Packed
Snow depth
snow depth
(in)
on trail (in)
method)*
Chequamegon-Nicolet NF, Medford unit
Forest Name:
WSA
PROFILES
Currents &
WSA
This winter the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest
(R9) has two units that will be harvested over snow as
a part of the study. Post-treatment monitoring will be
conducted in the summer with draft guidelines available
during the fall of 2010.
http://fsweb.sdtdc.wo.fs.fed.us/programs/wsa/
soilqual/winter_log/Winter%20Logging%20Study/
player.html View and listen to updated information on
the wvinter logging study.
For further information, contact SDTDC project leader
Carolyn Napper by phone (909) 599-1267, ext 229,
or email: cnapper@fs.fed.us.
Literature Synthesis on Effectiveness of Forest Roads
Best Management Practices
Proposed by: Carolyn Napper (SDTDC)
Objective: Provide a comprehensive technical reference
on the effectiveness of Forest Service national BMPs for
limiting erosion on forest roads and protecting water
quality.
EPA’s Assessment and Watershed Protection Program has
supplemented last year’s funding to support production
of the synthesis. Pam Edwards, of the Timber and
Watershed Lab in Parsons, WV, part of the Northeast
Research Station, is the author. She has gathered a
preliminary bibliography, which is posted at http://
www.fs.fed.us/t-d/programs/wsa/biblio.htm, and we
are requesting that everyone who has gathered their
own references—local or otherwise—check her list and
send her any missing references. She is particularly
interested in graduate theses, which often don’t get
routed around the scientific community. Please go to the
above link and find instructions about what and where to
send your suggestions.
PROFILES
Water-level Datalogger Upgrade
Proposed by: Robert Kenworthy, R4
Objective: Make available a water-level recorder
similar to the AquaRod, but cheaper and with upgraded
functionality.
MTDC’s electronics engineer, Ted Etter, evaluated an
Aquarod and made some suggestions to the company
owner about how they might be upgraded. Since the
patent is privately held, we decided not to pursue the
upgrade further, although we made ourselves available
for consultation if the owner desired.
Answers to our request for information about field
experience with the Aquarod brought the TruTrack WTHR water level datalogger to our attention. According
to the company Web site (http://www.trutrack.com/
WT-HR.html), the WT-HR works based on the same
capacitance technology as the Aquarod. Two users
indicated they experienced fewer or no problems
with data spiking, the problem that has plagued the
Aquarod, although the company is well aware the
problem can occur. We plan to procure a WT-HR logger
and field test it this year.
For further information, contact SDTDC project leader
Kim Clarkin by phone (360) 766-4171 (office phone;
(951) 533-2067 (cell); or email: kclarkin@fs.fed.us.
Watershed, Soil, and Air Technology & Development Program—4
The 1-m
Aquarod.
Photo by Bob
Kenworthy, R4
Currents &
WSA
PROFILES
Training Curriculum for Potential Users of the Forest
Soil Disturbance Monitoring Protocol
Proposed by: Steve Howes (R6)
Objective: Develop a comprehensive set of curricula,
training manual, and other media for employees who
collect soil assessment and monitoring information with
the Forest Soil Disturbance Monitoring Protocol (FSDMP)
and Soil Disturbance Field Guide. Include a hands-on
training to ensure student understanding of the protocol.
The training curriculum has seven components:
1.Introduction –Importance and Value of the Soil
Resource
Class 0
2.The Role of Soil Disturbance Classes
Class 1
3.Developing Risk Ratings for Potential Soil Impacts
from Mechanized Equipment
4.Using the FSDMP Assessment and Monitoring
Forms
5.Interpreting the Data
6.How to Set up a Soil Monitoring Program
7.Hands-on field training
Class 2
Region 5 hosted the first training session in October
2009 during their bi-annual soils meeting. Future training
sessions are scheduled for Atlanta, GA, in March 2010,
and Region 2 (location TBD) in June 2010.
Soil disturbance monitoring technology transfer
workshop series—starting in March 2010
The first workshop will be webcast March 10, 2010
at 9:30 PST. The workshop is designed to provide an
introductory overview of the Forest Soil Disturbance
Monitoring Protocol.
For further information on the webcast contact SDTDC
project leader Carolyn Napper by phone (909) 5991267, ext 229, or email: cnapper@fs.fed.us.
Class 3
Drawings by Natalie Cabrera
Visual indicators can be used in conjunction with the FSDMP
to assess and monitor soil impacts.
Watershed, Soil, and Air Technology & Development Program—5
Currents &
WSA
PROFILES
Low-Cost Fish Screens at Diversions
Proposed by: Mark Weinhold (R2) and Bob Deibel
(WO)
Objective: Find or develop moderate-to-low-cost
fish screens for small diversions to protect most fish
from entrainment in diversion ditches. One proposal
particularly mentions protecting juveniles that normally
inhabit stream margins, where most diversions originate.
Low-cost, simple-to-operate fish screens have been
the goal for screen designers for many years. Most
designers have given up on the quest after repeated
episodes of plugging, dry ditches, and angry irrigators.
Mention of a ‘simple’ fish screen draws wry smiles from
experienced people. Nonetheless, we are pursuing the
topic to gain an understanding of what has been tried
and how (and how consistently) it has failed. We plan
to visit screen shops in northwest States, where much of
the experience is located, to see the lowest-technology
screens they have or use. That and other information will
be shared in a Web page.
A downstream view of a typical pole-and-tarp diversion in
western Wyoming. The open diversion channel exits to the
right.
For further information, contact SDTDC project leader
Kim Clarkin by phone (360) 766-4171 (office phone);
(951) 533-2067 (cell); or email: kclarkin@fs.fed.us.
Water Diversion Control Structures
Proposed by: Dave Gloss (R2)
Phase I: Diversion field guide
Objective: Provide information on planning and layout
of surface water diversion and water control structures.
Assist diverters and field personnel who work with
them in evaluating alternative structures and layouts to
meet instream-flow needs, protect aquatic habitat, and
minimize detrimental effects on channels and riparian
areas.
One of the simplest possible fish screens: a vertical screen
cleaned by rapid flow in the concrete channel at left. Water
passes through screen in center and is transported to a pivot
irrigation system. Grade Cr, tributary of Bear River, Wyoming.
Adult fish migrating upstream to spawn do pass this screening
system with the help of rocks placed on the concrete floor.
The first draft of the guide is nearing completion, and
should be ready for peer review in 2010.
Watershed, Soil, and Air Technology & Development Program—6
Currents &
WSA
Phase II: Variable flow diversion system
Objective: Find or develop diversion control systems
capable of maintaining variable in-stream flows in
the main channel. The goal is to permit diverters
to implement in-stream flow agreements where
environmental flow requirements vary over the course of
the diversion season.
Canal and water supply districts are increasingly using
Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA)
systems for water diversion monitoring and control. These
systems can include water level and velocity sensors and
dataloggers, telemetry components that transmit real-time
sensor data, controllers that implement programmed or
operator commands, and actuators that open or close
headgates or other devices. As requested by the steering
committee, we will include summary information on these
systems in an appendix to the diversion field guide.
For further information, contact SDTDC project leader
Kim Clarkin by phone (360) 766-4171 (office phone);
(951) 533-2067 (cell); or email: kclarkin@fs.fed.us.
Biomass/Whole-Tree Harvesting, Soil Impacts, and
Measurement Methods
Proposed by: Jim Gries (Region 9, Hiawatha NF)
Objective: Provide a literature review of effects of
biomass removal on soil-nutrient cycling and identify
potential tools to determine amount of large and fine
woody debris. Share examples of contracts used to
implement biomass harvest and achieve the coarse and
fine-woody debris requirements.
The following Web page, http://www.fs.fed.us/t-d/
programs/im/biomass/, has been created to provide
a one-stop shopping of biomass resources now
available to soil scientist and other resource specialist.
Collaboration between RMRS, Michigan Tech, and
SDTDC continues to explore the relationship between
PROFILES
long-term soil productivity data and biomass removal
effects to the aspen and jack pine ecosystems of
northern Michigan.
We did receive examples of contracts used to implement
biomass harvest which are available on the Web site. If
you have further examples to share please send them to
Carolyn Napper at cnapper@fs.fed.us.
•New Projects
GOES Satellite Telemetry for Smoke Monitors
Proposed by Pete Lahm, WO Fire and Aviation
Air quality specialists and fire managers use monitors
to estimate smoke particulate concentrations from
prescribed and wildland fires. It is valuable to have
real-time data from these monitors so decisions can be
made using up-to-date information. The smoke monitors
are many times deployed in remote areas where the
only means of providing real-time data is through satellite
communications.
The proposed project requested that the T&D centers
develop and test a satellite communications package
that uses the GOES (Geostationary Operational
Environmental Satellite) system that National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration operates. The GOES
system allows hourly transmission of data at no cost for
meteorological data. Data from the monitors will be fed
into the Wildland Fire Management Information system.
The GOES equipment has been purchased and
development has started. It is planned to have the system
operational for evaluation in the winter of 2009/10.
For further information about this project contact Andy
Trent at (406) 329-3912 or by email at atrent@fs.fed.us.
Watershed, Soil, and Air Technology & Development Program—7
Currents &
WSA
Construction Guide for Stream Restoration and AOP
Projects
Proposed by: Bob Gubernick (R10) and Brian Bair
(TEAMS)
Objective: Provide a practical reference for field
construction personnel on construction planning,
and implementation for stream restoration and
aquatic organism passage projects. Include details
on construction scheduling, equipment capability,
specifications, dewatering, construction methods for
various structure types, administering equipment rental
contracts, etc.
Funding for this project is uncertain, and restoration
construction experts are extremely busy with on-theground projects. Work this year is likely to be limited to
scoping, developing a draft outline of the material to be
covered, and identifying experienced restorationists who
can provide the content.
For further information, contact SDTDC project leader
Kim Clarkin by phone (360) 766-4171 (office phone);
(951) 533-2067 (cell); or email: kclarkin@fs.fed.us.
PROFILES
Sampling Stream and Lake Waters for Chemical
Analysis
Proposed by: Cindy Huber (R9)
Objective: Develop two training programs for
employees who collect water samples from streams and
lakes specifically for water chemistry measurements.
The program, “Collecting Water Samples for Chemical
Analysis: Streams” is available on the Internet at http://
www.fs.fed.us/t-d/pubs/flash/fla08252F02/ The
program has six parts:
1. How to Prepare for Your Trip
2. How to Locate Sample Sites
3. How to Document Sites
4. How to Collect Water Samples
5. Taking Measurements at the Collection Site
6. Sample Handling and Shipping
The program, “Collecting Water Samples for Chemical
Analysis: Lakes” will be completed in fiscal year 2010.
The footage for the program was shot at Island Lake,
Montana, during the summer of 2009. A draft of the
program is almost complete. The program has seven
parts:
1. Types of Lake Sampling
2. Planning for a Sampling Trip
3. Packing for a Sampling Trip
4. Shoreline Sampling
5. Mid-Lake Sampling
6. Documenting the Samples and Site
7. Handling and Shipping Samples
Placing a small aquatic organism passage culvert on the Lolo
NF, September 2006. Photo by Traci Sylte
For more information about this project, contact Lisa
Outka-Perkins at 406–329–3849 or by email at loutkaperkins@fs.fed.us
Watershed, Soil, and Air Technology & Development Program—8
Currents &
WSA
BAER Hydrology Modeling Tools Review
Proposed by: Cheryl Mulder (R5)
Objective: To identify watershed runoff models and
their strengths and weaknesses, used by BAER team
hydrologists, while surveying and analyzing the potential
effects of post-fire runoff.
Initial scoping of hydrological models commonly used by
BAER team specialists in both the Forest Service and DOI
has started. Previous work completed by Rocky Mountain
Research Station provides information on various
hydrologic models and their strengths and weaknesses.
http://forest.moscowfsl.wsu.edu/BAERTOOLS/
ROADTRT/Peakflow/
For further information contact project leader Carolyn
Napper by phone (909) 599-1267, ext 229, or email:
cnapper@fs.fed.us.
PROFILES
Removal of Small Dams: Removal Techniques and
Monitoring Environmental Effects
Proposed by: Marty Rye, Jason Butcher, Dana Gauthier,
Luke Rutten, Randy Kolka,Steve Sebestyen (R9)
Objectives: Compile a synthesis of the current
knowledge of dam-removal methods, particularly
for small structures, as a tool for specialists and
decisionmakers to evaluate how best to remove
unwanted structures. Compile a synthesis of the
monitoring methods and environmental effects of small
dam removal to aid project managers in preparing
environmental documents and ultimately monitoring and
documenting the results of dam removals. Monitor the
environmental effects of several planned small structure
removals and compare the actual environmental effects
with the expected effects. For further information contact
project leader Brenda Land by phone (909) 599-1267,
ext 219, or email: bland@fs.fed.us.
Hydrologists use different models to assess post-fire runoff
response. Determining which model works best in different
climatic conditions is still uncertain.
Watershed, Soil, and Air Technology & Development Program—9
Currents &
WSA
•T& D PROJECT PROPOSAL SUBMITAL
The formal FY 2011 call letter for proposals was
mailed in November. The due date to receive proposals
is February 11, 2010. If you have an idea for a
project, we encourage you to contact your regional
representative of the steering committee first so they can
help ensure the proposal is responsive to the selection
criteria. Projects can include applications of technology
such as equipment/tool development, product market
searches, and technology transfer (reports, DVD’s, Web
sites, and training). Proposals have come from Forest
Service (FS) employees at every level of the Agency.
Each year hundreds of project ideas from FS employees
are submitted to the T&D Centers for testing, evaluation,
and/or solution.
PROFILES
Generally, funding comes from national program
sponsors, not from your local budget. Visit the Missoula
T&D Center (MTDC) Web site, http://fsweb.mtdc.
wo.fs.fed.us/, or the San Dimas T&D Center (SDTDC)
Web site, http://fsweb.sdtdc.wo.fs.fed.us/, for good
examples of past selected projects.
Prepare your proposals by completing the enclosed
project proposal request form for a field problem that
needs to be solved. Return the form at any time to one of
the T&D contacts listed, but no later than February 11,
2010 for timely consideration. You can earmark your
proposal for one or more of the sponsoring programs
or allow the T&D program to assign the proposal where
it fits best. Any FS employee may submit proposals.
Proposals submitted in a previous year that were not
selected may be resubmitted.
Employees who identify a particular need sometimes
have a proposed solution in mind, but lack the resources
to follow through. This is where the T&D Centers can
help. If your proposal is selected for the T&D program of
work, you will be a key contact as the work is planned
and completed.
Watershed, Soil, and Air Technology & Development Program—10
PROJECT PROPOSAL
USDA Forest Service
National Technology and Development Program
SDTDC solicits input from the field for suggestions for future projects. Your suggestions are
important to us, so please take a few moments to complete this form and return to the address
provided.
Project Originator: Name_____________________________________ Date____________________
Title_______________________________________________________________
Unit_______________________________________________________________
Mailing address_____________________________________________________
E-mail address_______________________ Telephone______________________
Project Title: _______________________________________________________________________
Current Problem/Need
Describe how work is currently being done; current problem/need, location; why improvement
is needed.
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
Proposed Solution
Describe your concept of the end product, i.e., new equipment design, video production,
handbook, etc.
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
Potential Benefits
Describe how this product will improve safety, resource management; increase efficiency,
customer satisfaction, productivity; reduce cost, time.
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
Phone: 909–599–1267
FAX: 909–592–2309
Currents &
WSA
•Highlights—New Study on Woody
Biomass Residues at RMRS
Portable in-woods pyrolysis: Using forest biomass to
reduce forest fuels, increase soil productivity, and
sequester carbon
Forest harvest activities often generate a significant
quantity of woody biomass in the form of residues
from timber harvests, pre-commercial thinning, and
fuel reduction projects. Often, this material is either
concentrated on forest landings, along roads, or within
the harvest area far from facilities that use biomass as
fuel or raw material. In many regions, open burning
represents the only financially viable option for disposal
of forest residues, but that often leads to undesirable
smoke and particulates being released. In addition,
open burning represents a loss of green bio-energy
production. Recently, work has begun on the use of
mobile pyrolysis reactors (fast pyrolysis) to produce
bio-oil and bio-char from forest biomass close to the
harvest site, thereby reducing the need to transport bulky,
low-value raw material long distances to a centralized,
large-scale processing facility. Application of bio-char,
a byproduct of bio-oil production, to forest soils may
help retain soil moisture and nutrients and help maintain
or improve site productivity. Our work evaluates the
environmental impacts of applying bio-char to forest
soils, pelletizing bio-char to include as a part of the
growing media at forest nurseries, and the economics
of in-woods processing. Many gaps remain in our
understanding of how mobile pyrolysis reactors perform
under field conditions, when it is economically efficient
and environmentally valuable to deploy them, and how
mobile reactors compare to other technologies. Though
mobile pyrolysis is in the early stages of development
for forestry applications, results indicate that it has the
potential to be profitable and carbon negative under
certain land management scenarios, operational
configurations, and market conditions.
PROFILES
For more information on bio-oil and bio-char
environmental consequences contact Deborah PageDumroese at RMRS (208) 883-2339, Greg Jones,
RMRS, Missoula, (406) 542-4167 for economic
information, and Kas Dumroese, RMRS, Moscow, (208)
883-2324 for information on using bio-char in forest
nurseries.
Deb Page-Dumroese (RMRS), Jim Archuleta (Umpqua NF), and
Kristin McElligott (U of Idaho) apply bio-char to research plots
on the Umpqua National Forest.
We conducted four demonstrations of the mobile in-woods
pyrolysis reactor in Oregon during August 2009. Over 150
people attended each demonstration.
Watershed, Soil, and Air Technology & Development Program—12
Currents &
WSA
•Completed Projects
How To Set Up and Use the E-Sampler for Monitoring
Smoke
Proposed by: Pete Lahm (WO Smoke Manager)
The 25-minute Flash Media training video on how to use
the Met One E-Sampler for monitoring smoke particulate
is available on MTDC’s Web site at http://fsweb.mtdc.
wo.fs.fed.us/php/library_card.php?p_num=0925%20
2F01.
It also joins the other smoke monitor training aids on
the Interagency Real-Time Smoke Particulate Monitoring
Web site at http://www.airsis.com/usfs/. You can find
all the Flash Media training programs and Quick Sheets
for the E-Sampler, E-BAM, and DataRAM4 under the
About Smoke button, then Monitor Training Aids.
For more information, contact project leader Mary Ann
Davies at (406) 329-3981, or mdavies@fs.fed.us.
PROFILES
Collecting Water Samples for Chemical Analysis:
Streams
Proposed by Cindy Huber (R8, George Washington and
Jefferson NFs)
The training video on how to collect samples for water
chemistry analysis from streams is complete. This Flash
Media training is available on MTDC’s Web site and
can be viewed at http://fsweb.mtdc.wo.fs.fed.us/php/
library_card.php?p_num=0825%202F02.
This training video will help reduce training costs and
improve consistency and accuracy for those collecting
water samples from streams.
For more information, contact project leader Mary Ann
Davies at (406) 329-3981, or mdavies@fs.fed.us.
Quantifying Fecal Coliforms - Ecoli In The Field
Kim Clarkin, Project Leader
Current EPA-approved methods for analyzing lake and
stream coliform samples limit holding time to only 8 hours
before processing. In the back country, it is sometimes
impossible to send samples to a laboratory within the
specified time, and an in-field analysis is necessary in
those situations. The goal of this project was to assess
available methods and equipment for use in the field.
We developed prototypes of two portable analysis kits-one for fecal coliforms and one for E. coli--that enable
the complete cycle of sample processing, incubation
and colony counting to be completed in remote areas.
The kits can be powered by the vehicle battery, battery
packs, deep cycle marine batteries, or a combination.
Kit components include sterile disposables and other
equipment from the Hach and Millipore companies,
an incubator, and in the case of the E. coli kit, a sealer
for the IDEXX Quanti-trays. http://www.fs.fed.us/t-d/
programs/im/coliform/coliformhome_06.shtml
For further information, contact SDTDC project leader
Kim Clarkin by phone (360) 766-4171 (office phone);
(951) 533-2067 (cell); or email: kclarkin@fs.fed.us.
The E-Sampler monitor.
Watershed, Soil, and Air Technology & Development Program—13
Currents &
WSA
Low-Water Crossings Guide
Proposed by: Gary Harris and Rick Patten, Idaho
Panhandle National Forest (R1).
PROFILES
Biomass/Whole Tree Harvest: Soil Effects and
Measurement Methods
http://www.fs.fed.us/t-d/programs/im/biomass/
“Low-Water Crossings: Geomorphic, Biological and
Engineering Design Considerations” is a guide to lowwater crossing structure selection and design. It focuses
on low-water crossings’ effects on streams, floodplains,
fish and fish habitats while addressing all engineering
road design issues. It should be useful to engineers, road
managers, and resource specialist working together on
crossing projects.
To order a hard copy, please email George at
gtoyama@fs.fed.us
Two of the authors of the guide gave a paper at the
2007 Low Volume Roads conference in Austin, which
highlighted many of the same ideas: “Geomorphic,
Aquatic, and Engineering Design Considerations for Low
Water Crossings.” It is available at http://trb.metapress.
com. Search on low-water crossings.
Stream Simulation - An Ecological Approach to
Providing Passage for Aquatic Organisms at RoadStream Crossings
http://www.fs.fed.us/eng/pubs/pdf/
StreamSimulation/index.shtml
To order a hard copy, please email George at
gtoyama@fs.fed.us
Watershed, Soil, and Air Technology & Development Program—14
Currents &
WSA
Soil Disturbance Field Guide
http://www.fs.fed.us/t-d/php/library_card.php?p_
num=0819%201815P
To order a hard copy, please email George at
gtoyama@fs.fed.us
PROFILES
•LINKS OF INTEREST
National Association of Conservation Districts. 2009.
Woody biomass desk guide and toolkit. http://www.
nacdnet.org/resources/guides/biomass/.
Evans AM. 2008. Synthesis of knowledge from woody
biomass removal case studies. Forest Guild and USDA
Forest Service. Forest Guild, Santa Fe, NM. http://
biomass.forestguild.org.
Managing Organic Debris for Forest Health.
http://www.cals.uidaho.edu/edComm/detail.
asp?IDnum=1512
Biomass/Whole Tree Harvest: Soil Effects and
Measurement Methods
http://www.fs.fed.us/t-d/programs/im/biomass/
•WSA STEERING COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Soil Water Road Condition Index
http://www.fs.fed.us/t-d/php/library_card.php?p_
num=0877%201806P
To order a hard copy, please email George at
gtoyama@fs.fed.us
John Potyondy
Chairman; Director, Stream Systems Technology Center
970-295-5986
jpotyondy@fs.fed.us
VACANT
National Surface Water Hydrologist, WO
202-205-1093
Tim Sullivan
Water Team Program Manager, R1
406-329-3185
tsullivan@fs.fed.us
Tommy John
Regional Soil Scientist, R2
303-275-5583
tjohn@fs.fed.us
Wayne Robbie
Regional Soil Scientist, R3
505-842-3253
wrobbie@fs.fed.us
William Goodman
Assistant Regional Hydrologist, R4
801-625-5368
wgoodman@fs.fed.us
Watershed, Soil, and Air Technology & Development Program—15
Currents &
WSA
Brent Roath
Regional Soil Scientist & BAER Coordinator, R5
707-562-8941
broath@fs.fed.us
Brian Staab
Regional Hydrologist, R6
503-808-2694
Michael Crump
Hydrologist, R8
404-347-3872
Russ LaFayette
Regional Hydrologist, R9
414-297-1341.1
Julianne Thompson
Hydrologist, R10
907-772-5873
Mike Furniss
Research, PNW
541-758-7789
Ann Acheson
WO Air Program, WO
202-205-0800
bstaab@fs.fed.us
mcrump@fs.fed.us
rlafayette@fs.fed.us
jethompson02@fs.fed.us
mfurniss@fs.fed.us
aacheson@fs.fed.us
PROFILES
•T&D STAFF
VACANT
Manager, WO – T&D Program
VACANT
Center Manager, WO – MTDC
VACANT
Program Leader, Air, WO – MTDC
Andy Trent
Mechanical Engineer, WO – MTDC
406-329-3912
atrent@fs.fed.us
Mary Ann Davies
Mechanical Engineer, WO –MTDC
406-329-3981
mdavies@fs.fed.us
John Fehr
Center Manager, WO – SDTDC
909-599-1267, ext. 211
jfehr@fs.fed.us
Dexter Meadows
Program Leader, Watershed, WO – SDTDC
909-599-1267, ext. 276
dmeadows@fs.fed.us
Kim Clarkin
Hydrologist, WO – SDTDC
360-766-4171
kclarkin@fs.fed.us
Carolyn Napper
Watershed Specialist, WO – SDTDC
909-599-1267, ext. 229
cnapper@fs.fed.us
Marty Willbee
Outdoor Recreation Planner, WO – SDTDC
909-599-1267, ext. 231
mwillbee@fs.fed.us
Watershed, Soil, and Air Technology & Development Program—16